For most kids, reading and dancing might seem like two completely different worlds — one quiet and focused, the other full of rhythm and movement. But at Ballet & Books, the two come together to create something new: a space where stories move, words take shape and confidence grows.
Founded in 2017 by Talia Bailes ’20, a lifelong dancer and global and public health sciences major at Cornell, Ballet & Books began in Ithaca with a simple idea — combining reading and ballet to support early childhood literacy and self-expression.
Eight years later, the program has expanded into a national nonprofit with 13 chapters, but also remains a Cornell student organization, allowing for students to join and volunteer. To many families, the program is much more than a weekend activity. It is a space where children can express emotions, build confidence and form meaningful bonds with mentors who support them both in the studio and in life.
“We want to make sure that every child, regardless of background, gets the chance to dance, to perform and to wear the tutu and leotard,” said Leyla Rivera ’27, co-director of the Ithaca chapter. “But more importantly, they learn how to turn what they’re feeling and thinking into a story and put their emotions out into the world through dance.”
Each session lasts about an hour and a half, and the children, grouped as Seeds, ages three to five, and Sprouts, six to nine, rotate between 45 minutes of literacy and dance, led by their college volunteer mentors. The reading sessions follow a national curriculum developed by educators, while the dance portion is guided by whatever captures the kids’ curiosity, their favorite music that week or the “word of the week” from the reading session.
“Let’s say the word of the week is rain,” explained Libby Elman ’26, vice president of marketing and a ballet teaching assistant for the Ithaca chapter. “We’ll read stories about rain and then do movements that show what rain feels like. Next week, we’ll ask, ‘Who remembers the move for rain?’ And it’s amazing to see how they remember both the word and its meaning through movement.”
While the reading activities build vocabulary and comprehension, the dance allows children to embody what they learn by translating abstract ideas into physical expression.
“It’s the ability to process meaning, to remember words and what they mean, and then put those words into making new meaning,” Elman said. “It really is like a psychological development.”
One especially meaningful part of Ballet & Books happens when children use movement to express emotions that might otherwise go unspoken.
“If they’re really frustrated one day, maybe during freestyle dance, they’re jumping around a lot or moving more harshly. If they’re happy, they’ll be twirling and smiling, moving with more lightness and fluidity,” Elman said. “This is also a kind of literary expression, the ability to turn what they're feeling and what they’re thinking into a story, and communicating it and putting their feelings out into the world.”
Beyond literacy and movement, what makes the program special are the relationships that form between children and their mentors. Each child is paired with a college volunteer for the duration of their time in the program, often building a connection that lasts for years, sometimes even after the mentors graduate.
“For a lot of our kids, their parents are really busy,” Rivera said. “So having someone who’s there just for them, someone who listens, believes in them and cares, gives them a real sense of security.”
At the end of each semester, the children take the stage for a small showcase for family, friends and the community. The program also removes financial barriers: all leotards, shoes and costumes are provided at no cost, ensuring that every child can experience the joy of performing.
“The little kids are so excited to see their parents bring them flowers after the show,” Rivera said. “You can tell how proud everyone is. It’s such a special moment.”
Nationally, approximately 40 percent of students cannot read at a basic level, and only 15.3 percent of K–12 public school students have access to dance programs. Financial constraints, limited instructional time, and other systemic barriers continue to keep dance and reading out of reach for many students — which is what Ballet & Books hopes to change, offering support in literature and dance to children.
“I think it’s so wonderful that I can leave memories with kids that will last forever,” Elman said. “We want every single child to feel included, welcome and confident. That’s what matters most.”
